Laser Union

Instructors use them to draw attention to information on slide shows. Astronomers use them to point out stars, planets, and other heavenly bodies. And construction workers use them to level and align pipes.These are all legitimate uses of laser pointers, says the Food and Drug Administration, which regulates lasers and other radiation-emitting devices. But the agency is concerned about the misuse of these potentially dangerous devices and their increased availability for purchase on the Internet.Laser pointers are misused when they are directed at people or treated as toys. The light energy from a laser pointer aimed into the eye can be more damaging than staring directly into the sun. And the startling effect of a bright beam of light can cause serious accidents when aimed at a driver in a car, a pilot in a plane, or even a person holding a cup of hot coffee. According to the Laser Institute of America, one woman reported how other mothers she knew bought laser pointers for their children so they could imitate Star Wars characters Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader."Laser pointers have become consumer novelty products and promoted as toys," says Jerome Dennis, a consumer safety officer for the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH). "They're hazardous as toys and shouldn't be used frivolously."The agency is concerned about the increased availability through the Internet of a variety of laser products that may be illegal or unsafe. Some laser products are intended for use only by professionals or other trained operators. And green laser pointers have the agency particularly concerned. While there are legitimate uses for these green pointers, they may be altered to become more powerful and unsafe if not used responsibly."These overpowered pointers may have been modified to emit more radiation than the manufacturer's original product," says Lt. Cmdr. Sean Boyd, M.P.H., head of the electronic products branch in CDRH, "and they are not compliant with our standard." The FDA sets safety standards that must be met before laser products, including pointers, can be legally sold in the U.S. market."The potential for injury increases as you increase the power output of the product," adds Boyd. "Certainly the potential for distraction or flash blindness or startling increases as well when you're talking about an overpowered green pointer."Flash blindness is a temporary loss of vision that occurs when the eye is suddenly exposed to intense light--even from an unintentional sweep of laser light across a person's eyes. The effect can last from several seconds to several minutes. Recent reports of flash blindness in pilots from laser lights beamed at aircraft have further heightened the agency's concerns.The FDA is working to identify manufacturers of overpowered green laser pointers and other illegal laser products and will take action to prevent these unsafe products from being sold in the United States.FDA's AuthorityThe FDA has the authority to regulate all kinds of lasers. Under the Medical Device Amendments to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, the agency regulates lasers used in medicine. And under the Electronic Product Radiation Control Provisions of the act, the FDA regulates both medical and nonmedical lasers such as those used to solder circuits in factories, to scan groceries in a supermarket, or to entertain a crowd with a light show in the night sky.The FDA may inspect manufacturers of laser products and require the recall of products that don't comply with federal standards or that have radiation safety defects. The agency also may test laser products and inspect displays of laser light shows to ensure the public is protected. Producers of laser light shows are required to tell the FDA where they are planning a display so that the agency can inspect it if possible and take action if required. In 1995, the FDA, working with the Federal Aviation Administration, issued a moratorium that remains in effect on outdoor laser light shows in and near Las Vegas. The action, which affects Clark County, Nev., was taken after airline pilots reported experiencing temporary visual impairment during flights into or out of the county's three airports.The FDA requires that labeling on most laser products contain a warning about radiation and other hazards and a statement certifying that the laser complies with FDA safety regulations. The label must also state the power output and the hazard class of the product.The FDA recognizes four major hazard classes (I to IV), including two subclasses (IIIa and IIIb), of lasers--ranging from those that pose no known hazard to those that pose serious danger if used improperly. The higher the class, the more powerful the laser. Class I laser products, for example, include laser printers and CD players, which are not considered hazardous because the laser radiation is contained within the product.Class IIIb and class IV laser products are very powerful and permit ready access to the laser radiation, which can cause eye or skin injury. Research and industrial lasers and laser light show projectors fall into these classes. Class IIIb and class IV laser light show projectors may be sold only by or to individuals or firms that have obtained approval from the FDA.Buyer BewareIn addition to potentially harming your health, some high-powered pointers can damage your wallet, says Dennis. Consumers who purchase an illegal laser product on the Internet--whether knowingly or unknowingly--may lose their money if the product is manufactured outside the United States, he says. "There is a reasonable risk of having a charge laid against your credit card for goods you're not going to receive because they're going to be blocked by U.S. Customs and Border Protection."

The first laser hair removal device was the Soft Light Hair Removal System developed and manufactured by the Thermolase Corporation. Today, there are several laser hair removal machines on the market. The following are some the more common ones.The long-pulse alexandrite laser has the propensity for deep access into that layer of the skin where the hair follicles are situated. The sustained heat that builds up in the shaft immobilizes the hair follicles that are in the active growth phase.The diode laser is another highly competent machine that is made up of minute diodes or semiconductors that are set together to manufacture light. One advantage of the diode laser is the relatively longer wavelength than other machines used for laser hair removal. It is particularly beneficial to those people who are darker in skin color.There are also light-based sources. Intense pulsed light devices function much like lasers. They use the “photoepilation process offering a wide range of light allowing the process to effectively work on a range of skin and hair colors and hair depth.Q-Switched Nd:YAG laser gives off two varying wave lengths of light. The one used for deep penetration is the invisible infrared light, which can reach deep hair follicles. The green light is used for treating hair follicle closer to the surface of the skin. During both, the infrared and the green light treatments, the Q-Switched Nd: YAG device produces rapid bursts of light to the area being treated.Ruby is a red-colored beam that is used to target the dark melanin (a dark biological pigment) in the hair follicles.

Laser hair removal is a medical and cosmetic procedure that targets hair follicles with laser energy. The melanin pigment in the skin absorbs the laser heat. The melanin in the the follicle is responsible for the re-growth of hair. The darker the hair color, the more melanin the hair contains and the more heat it can absorb. When the follicle absorbs enough heat, the re-growth mechanism becomes permanently damaged. The hair follicle dies and the hair falls out. It take quite some time before new hair can be regenerated.Laser hair removal is not a recommended treatment for everyone. A very tanned person with blonde hair is the wrong candidate for laser hair removal, while a fair person with dark hair is the ideal patient. The darker the hair the more laser heat the follicle can absorb leading to the permanent damage of that hair follicle. In almost all cases, laser hair removal requires multiple treatments because hair can only be effectively treated when it is in the stage of growth termed the anagen phase. Since hair grows in cycles and does not enter the anagen phase at once, sessions for laser hair removal are spread out to treat hair follicles that were dormant in previous sessions. The number of sessions required varies depending on the person. Prior to laser hair removal, electrolysis was the favored method. In laser hair removal, the laser shines over an area of skin that encompasses several hairs, treating multiple follicles at once. Electrolysis directs an electric shock to each individual hair and is commonly reported to be uncomfortable. Laser hair removal may cause the skin to feel as if it's lightly sunburned but is fairly pain-free. The best candidates for laser hair removal are people with light colored skin and relatively dark colored hair. People with darker skin may need a lot more treatments and they do run the risk of changing the pigment of the skin in the treatment areas to a much lighter or darker color. This is usually temporary but it is an unwanted side effect.Laser hair removal treatments may also be affected by the skill of the person removing the hair. People considering these treatments should be wary of practitioners without medical licenses or who are offering services at highly discounted rates. One should plan to work with a board-certified dermatologist who can recommend ideal laser hair removal practitioners. The cost for laser hair removal varies but experts stress the importance of finding a reputable clinic with experienced doctors. While patients commonly require three to five sessions for a good result, an upper lip is likely to require fewer treatments than the legs, back or chest. One session averages 500 US dollarsand additional fees are usually incurred.
Laser hair removal technology is evolving. No matter what skin type you have, newer lasers can safely and effectively remove unwanted hair from your face and body.
Definition
Laser hair removal is a medical procedure that uses laser light — an intense, pulsating beam of light — to remove unwanted hair. Laser hair removal works by passing a light beam through the skin. The laser targets dark pigment, called melanin, in hair. When the light beam hits the hair follicle (where hair growth originates), the intense heat destroys the hair follicle instantly.

In most cases, laser hair removal slows hair regrowth, but it takes several treatments to provide an extended "hair-free" period.

Why it's done
Laser hair removal is used for people who want to remove unwanted body hair. Common treatment locations include legs, armpits, upper lip, chin and bikini line. However, it is possible to treat unwanted hair in almost any area of the body.

Although laser hair removal doesn't guarantee permanent hair removal, it does extend the hair-free period, which can vary from several months to many years. With multiple treatments, long-term hair removal is possible.

Hair color and skin type are the key factors that influence the success of laser hair removal. It's most successful on people with dark hair (brown or black) and light skin. However, it can also be used safely on people with darker skin types. Laser hair removal does not work for white, blonde, light brown or light red hair.

To reduce your risks, choose a qualified, trained doctor who is board certified in dermatology or a similar specialty. Your doctor should meet with you before the procedure and determine your treatment plan. If a physician's assistant or licensed nurse performs the procedure, your doctor should supervise and be available on-site during the treatments. Do not go to a spa, salon or clinic that allows nonmedical personnel to perform the procedure.

Complications from laser hair removal are rare if you go to a qualified doctor. Bleeding during the laser treatment is extremely rare, as is the possibility of infection resulting from treatment.

Side effects from laser hair removal include, but are not limited to:

Incomplete hair removal or regrowth. Some hair may be resistant to the laser treatment or may regrow after treatment.
Darkening of the skin (hyperpigmentation). This is usually a temporary condition, but in rare instances, is long lasting or permanent.
Lightening of the skin (hypopigmentation). This is of special concern with people who have darker skin. Laser hair treatment is more successful on fair skin, but darker skin also can be treated.
Blistering and scarring. These rarely occur.
Changes in the skin texture. These rarely occur.
Crusting or scabbing. If this occurs, it's temporary.
Hair changes. New hair growth may be finer and lighter in color. In some cases, new hair may grow in areas adjacent to the treated areas. This can be successfully treated with additional laser treatments.
Talk to your doctor about how these risks apply to you.